Calgary Estate Litigation Lawyers
A loved one’s death is a painful time and may not always offer a final resolution. Open questions and ambiguities relating to the deceased’s intentions due to lack of proper estate planning can potentially pave a legacy with conflict. Failure to properly administer an estate can also create ongoing disputes during an emotionally challenging period. This could occur if the personal representative or trustee is not properly following the wishes set out in the deceased’s last will and testament.
Our Calgary estate lawyers have extensive experience advising and representing trustees, executors, personal representatives, dependants, spouses, family members, adult interdependent partners, attorneys, guardians, beneficiaries, and other claimants in disputes involving estates. While we are based in Calgary, our estate litigation lawyers can deal with disputes anywhere in Alberta and across western Canada.
Our approach to estate litigation combines personal empathy with a pragmatic resolve to deliver the best outcome for our clients. Estate disputes generally involve family and close personal relationships. This kind of conflict can be costly, both emotionally and financially. Our estate litigation lawyers work closely with our clients to understand the relationships between beneficiaries as well as their relationship to the deceased. Beyond these important interpersonal components, our focus remains on navigating the estate dispute and choosing the best strategy to deliver a positive outcome. Accordingly, we aim to respect the intentions of the deceased while leveraging the many common law and statutory legal tools at our disposal.
The main categories of legal claims involving estates include:
Challenging Wills
In order for a will to be valid in Alberta, it must meet strict formal requirements. Estate disputes often focus on determining the intentions of the deceased as evidenced by their wills. Challenges to a will are generally established by arguing that the deceased either did not have capacity to make the will or that a third party exerted an undue influence on them.
Claims by Dependants
If a family member has not been fairly provided for within a deceased’s estate, they may be eligible to bring a claim under the Wills and Succession Act. Our estate litigation lawyers act for all sides in these disputes, including executors, beneficiaries and claimants.
Guardianship and Trusteeship Disputes
Some disputes emerge prior to an individual’s death. This includes the control and disposition of assets belonging to elderly individuals who are no longer competent to look after their own affairs. Other disputes relate to the financial and personal affairs of disabled adults. Of particular concern are disabled minor children of a deceased who are nearing the age of majority.
Will & Estate Planning
Our wills and estates lawyers can assist you with implementing a personalized and comprehensive plan. For more information on our services, please visit our Will & Estate Planning practice area.
Estate Administration
Our wills and estates lawyers can provide a comprehensive assistance to personal representatives on every step in the administration of a deceased estate. For more information, please visit our Estate Administration services page.